Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. ? His caddie loosened the flag from the 18th pin as a symbol of victory Sunday at The Players Championship, and Phil Mickelson added a personal touch.

“Butch, the 1st of many.”

After playing one of his tidiest rounds on one of the most intimidating golf courses, Mickelson signed his name at the bottom of the note and handed it to his new swing coach, Butch Harmon. Arms around each other’s shoulders, they walked up the hill toward the sprawling clubhouse for the trophy presentation, another sign that Mickelson might be on the rise.

“What’s most exciting is I feel like we’re just getting started,” Mickelson said.

In his third week with a new coach and a new plan, Mickelson suddenly looks better than ever.

He missed only four fairways and two greens, and had only one bogey when it no longer mattered. Mickelson closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory.

Meanwhile, Sean O’Hair paid dearly.

O’Hair matched Mickelson shot-for-shot along the back nine at the TPC Sawgrass, unable to convert birdie putts to close the gap. He felt he had no choice but to go after the pin on the 17th, and was shocked when his 9-iron sailed over the green.

Mickelson finished at 11-under 277 for a two-shot victory over Sergio Garcia, who closed with a 66 with four birdies on the last five holes.

O’Hair finished with a 76 that dropped him from second place to 11th place, the difference of $747,000.